Fire-escape



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W W U L i To all whom it may concern:

UNITED STATES PATENT OF ICE.

GEORGE w, GIBBS, or sALEM, 01310.

FyIRE-ESCAPE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 256,207, dated April 11, 1882.

Application filed February 18, 1882. (No model.)

Be it known that I, GEORGE W. Games, of Salem, in the county of Golumbiana and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fire-Escapes; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention,

which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

Figure l is an elevation of a building with my improved fire-esca"pe in position. Fig. 2 is a detail view, showing a modification.

Corresponding parts in the figures are denoted by like letters of reference.

This invention relates to that class of fireescapes which are permanently attached to buildings in order to enable the inmates to gain the ground in safety when in case of fire the ordinary avenues of escape are cut oil; and it consists in certain improvements in the construction of the same, which will be hereinafterfully described, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

-In the drawings hereto annexed, A represents the building, and B my improved fireescape. The latter is constructed of a metallic rod or wire the dimensions of which must be properly proportioned to the height of the structure and the weight it is expected to sustain. Upon the rod or wire B are formed at intervals of, say, from ten to twelve inches a series of loops, 0, which are located alternately on opposite sides of the said rod or .wire. The loops 0 may be circular in shape or of any suitable construction; but I prefer to make them of the shape shown in Fig. 1, by reference to which it will be seen that the upper sides, D, of said loops are to be made straight and nearly horizontal, with a slight inward inclination toward the rod or wire B, so-as'to form steps upon which the feet may be supported without danger of slipping off. The under sides, E, of the loops 0, I prefer to make approximately semicircular, as shown, so as to be readily grasped by the hand. Theloops or steps, being formed alternately on opposite sides ot the wire, enable the hands and feet to be conveniently shifted from step to step with the same action as when descending an ordinary ladder.

' The upper end of the escape is to be attached to the top or cornice of the building in any suitable manner, and its lower end to the base of the wall or the pavement. At intervals it should be supported by suitable brackets in order to prevent vibration. I prefer to arrange it at a distance from the wall of, say, twelve inches, in order that persons may descend with their backs against and supported by the wall.

The escape may be arranged either in front of or closely adjoining the sides of doors and windows, so as to be easily accessible to the inmates of the building.

When my improved fire escape is constructed in lengths or sections such sections may be connected by loops and eyes formed at the ends of adjoining sections, or by screwcoupling joints, or in any other suitable manner.

In Fig. 2 of the drawings I have shown a modification of my invention, which consists in placing in each of the loops 0 a suitablyshaped flanged metallic ring, F, serving as a brace to prevent the loops from collapsing, and also forming a safer and more convenienthold for the hands.

The operation and advantages of my i11- vention will be readily understood. Besides serving as an escape it affords access to parts of the building which cannot otherwise be reached, enabling firemen and others to rescue persons who may be overcome by smoke, and to combat the fire in places not otherwise accessible. The device may be also advantageously used-for other purposes than as a fireescape-for instance, for entering wells, and in mines and other places. v v

I am aware that ropes provided or formed with loops or knots, or both, have been employed in fire-escapes, and such I do not claim.

Having thus described my invention, I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States- 1 1. A fire-escape ladder consisting of a metallic rod or wire having loops formed alternately on opposite sides thereof, as set forth.

2. The rod or wire B, having loops 0 formed In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my. ownI have hereto affixed my signature in presenceof two witnesses.

GEORGE W. GIBBS.

Witnesses:

J. A. AMBLER, PETER AMBLER. 

